Rolex - Glamorous Day-Date Geneva Friday, May 8, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1986
    Reference No: 18039
    Case No: 8'799'133
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k white gold and diamonds
    Calibre: Automatic, 3055
    Bracelet/Strap: Rolex President, end links numbered 55B
    Clasp/Buckle: Concealed deployment clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed
    Literature: The present lot is illustrated in Day Date, The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo, Spin Edizioni

  • Catalogue Essay

    This superlative Day-Date delivered in 1986 bears the 18039 reference, which was released between 1977 and 1988. The fifth digit number of the reference - in this case 9 - indicates the metal of the watchcase: 18 carat white gold. The rare and gorgeous turquoise “Lacquered Stella” dial found in this Rolex Day-Date in white gold with sapphire crystal is further enriched with 8 round cut and 2 baguette-cut diamonds.Since 1977, Day-Date models beginning with reference 18000, are fitted with sapphire crystals, which replace the traditional Esalite glass (an elastic easy to polish plexiglass). In order to house this new glass, the bezel underwent a restyling. As a result, together with the screw-down case back and screw down crown, it is waterproof to 100 meters, which is equivalent to 330 feet.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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Ref. 18039
A very rare and unusual white gold and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with bracelet, centre seconds and turquoise lacquered “Stella” dial

1986
36mm. Diameter
Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 50,000 

Sold for CHF68,750

Contact Specialist
Livia Russo
+41 22 317 81 86

Glamorous Day-Date

Geneva Auction 9 May 2015 7pm